A closer look at NSW politics - without a vested interest, an agenda to push or a chip on my shoulder.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Is someone Stoned?

This Andrew Stoner thing has gotten a little ridiculous.

If you missed it, I blogged earlier this week about the Andrew Stoner "scandal".

In short, whilst Labor was still in power, there was an inquiry into the solar panel rebate. For about two months there was speculation that once the inquiry was completed the rate would be reduced, but that those that had already signed up would retain the higher rate.

In due course, on 27 October 2010 Keneally announced that, as of midnight that night, the rate for all new signups would be reduced.

Labor got their knickers in a knot earlier this week about the fact that, later that same day, Stoner got a pair, shot out and signed up for the scheme.

It is odd that in the above article, published yesterday, says that the installer admitted that the $100 was paid after the deadline, whilst the article published today says that he has refused to confirm that it was paid late.

It's also odd that it is only the Tele that is making the $100 allegation - Sean Nicholls wrote a piece today about the scandals plaguing the Coalition at the moment, and makes no mention of it.

I don't know whether Stoner was required to pay the deposit before midnight or not. Even if he was, I still don't see how what he did is "corruption".

The ICAC website defines corruption as follows:

Even assuming that Stoner really did pay the $100 after midnight, and assuming that a deposit was required before midnight, there is zero evidence that anything he did fits in the above categories.

To refer the matter to ICAC in the absence of any such evidence (and if there was any, you can bet we'd have heard about it) is nothing more than mudslinging.